BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (August 9, 2008) – An Afghan woman was medically evacuated after she was injured during a Coalition forces’ operation to disrupt militant activities in Paktika province, Zarghun Shah District, Friday.

Coalition medical evacuation standards require that male family members escort female patients to the medical facility whenever possible. There were no male family members in the immediate area. The injured woman’s condition required immediate medical evacuation. Coalition forces are coordinating for a male family member to travel to the hospital.

The operation targeted a militant who has attacked Afghan and Coalition forces, and is linked to foreign fighter operations in the area.

Coalition forces identified the targeted militant maneuvering near the compound and killed him in an air strike.

Coalition forces then identified a separate militant group maneuvering against them and responded with small-arms fire. It was during this engagement that the woman, who was moving with the militant group, was injured.  Another woman and four children were unharmed.

Coalition medical personnel immediately treated her injuries at the scene and transported her to a Coalition medical facility for further care.

Coalition forces discovered and confiscated several pieces of military equipment, weapons, and ammunition and destroyed them to prevent future use.